Charlotte Church - Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church
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Free Music Notes for Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church
Free Music Review: It does not get any better !
Hit: 5 Stars
This album by Charlotte does indeed show off her best songs. You might not totally agree with all the selections but because all her songs are great it is very hard to decide which one to choose. For example, I would have liked "Carrickfergus" and the strongly emotional "If I loved you" from the Enchantment DVD to be included but there is no more space on the CD.Now to my review, every selection is outstanding but I will comment and highlight some of them. "Pie Jesu" is undoubtedly wonderful -this is Charlotte's signature ballad that catapulted her to fame and fortune. "Just Wave Hello" beautiful - this is the Ford commecial tune on TV that made Charlotte more well known.
"Ave Maria" - I remember this when I first saw Charlotte's performance on PBS television in her concert in Jerusalem. It was so outstandingly done - also wonderful was the Lords Prayer. "Dream a Dream" another popular song with Billy Gilman" the video is included in Charlotte's in Jerusalem DVD. By the way this is also included in Charlotte's Prelude Best of DVD.
"The Prayer" is another of my favorite that shows off Charlotte's low melodious voice especially at the beginning of the ballad.
Now to the final five tracks. They are all new except for the uplifting "Bridge Over Troubled Water" which I saw in the Enchantment DVD which I loved so much. I liked the strong guitar accompaniment in this song. These latter tracks blew me away. "All Love Can Be" from the movie A beautiful Mind so nice! "It's the heart that matters most" - this song shows the fine quality of Charlotte's voice which is so appealing. "Tantum Ergo" so moving - it shows the full range of her voice.
Finally, "Santa Maria" (Holy Mary) is so beautifully sung by Charlotte. This is the same music that was played by the orchestra in Charlotte's DVD in Jerusalem in the scene when she was walking through the streets of Jerusalem - this was so touching and solemn.
Summarizing, this album is a very nice way to get a good taste of Charlotte Church's best songs in one album and also get 5 new additional outstanding songs on top of that. For those who are new to Charlotte Church's music - this album is a wonderful way to be introduced to her music but to get the full extent of her music- listen and look at all her other CD's and DVD's.
PS. Last night I traveled to Providence, Rhode Island at a packed concert to see Charlotte in person in a "A Royal Christmas" show - this is part of her current tour of the U.S. Among other songs, she sang Imagine, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, and Silent Night. I was delighted and enjoyed her performance so much - she belted those songs so strongly and looked tall, lovely and elegant.
Free Music Review: Great Charlotte's greatest--but so soon?
Hit: 5 Stars
Four albums, including a Christmas album, all within four years, and then a greatest hits? Seems too soon. However, if anything, this collection provides a showcase of her voice as it has developed throughout the years. From the youthful voice that breathed new life into Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu" to the anthemic "Just Say Hello," to the developing beauty in "The Flower Duet" and the other songs in Enchantment (her best album by far), this Welsh wonder has gone from being Good Charlotte to Great Charlotte--sorry, I couldn't resist the pun. As for the remaining five songs, wow, what a revelation! To quote the Beatles, she's "getting better all the time." "All Love Can Be", sung over the closing credits of A Beautiful Mind, deserved to have snatches of it sung during the movie proper instead of being shuffled off towards the end. Surrounded by a lush orchestral arrangements, it's one of her best. "It's The Heart That Matters Most" could've been one a hit ballad in any of the preceding three decades, complete with its gospelish chorus. It sounds like something Melissa Manchester would've done. "Tantum Ergo" has a lovely backing Christmas choral type, highlighting Great Charlotte's voice. And there are very few people who can do justice to Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" When she sings "I will comfort you" and "I will take your path when darkness comes", you know she really means it. The closing ballad "Sancta Maria" could well be a companion piece to "In Trutina." Like Sarah Brightman, she does good singing any language, but does best in Italian.
OK, song distribution time, and here it is:
Voice Of An Angel, 5
Charlotte Church, 3
Dream A Dream, 2
Enchantment, 3
Beautiful Mind, 1
new, 4
Not exactly the selection I would've chosen. "Carrickfergus" and "The Water Is Wide" are two I would've included. And if she was going to include "Bridge Over Troubled Water," why not include her cover of "Imagine," which like the former song, was done for the Enchantment video concert?
While a greatest hits from Charlotte is welcome at this time, it causes one to wonder about the title. Prelude? Prelude to what? Surely not retirement? Prelude to becoming the next Sarah Brightman, which given the new songs she has the definite potential to be? If that's what the title means, all of us can rest easy--she'll be back for more. Come on Charlotte, you're our last hope.
Free Music Review: Charlotte Charlotte...
Hit: 5 Stars
First of all, I must say that Charlotte has one of the most gorgeous and soothing voices in the world. Like one of her albums says, "Voice of an Angel" that is exactly what her voice is. It shocks me to read the big critics people have to say about Charlotte. I agree that each mind is a different world and that it is impossible to keep everyone content. I think that if someone demands much more from a person, the demanding individual must be able to perform at such expectations. It seems to me that Charlotte performs from her heart and soul for the people that listen to her. Despite what other individuals may say about her voice, I am a sincere and persistant follower of Charlotte. She may be an idol for many, just like other people follow other musicians and have respect for them, I have my own respect for Charlotte and the way she performs. Indeed, her voice is still developing and it will take another shape from within her start. But, thanks to that first impression she made on many, people will not forget how she began and follow her throughout her change.
"Prelude" refers to the best of Charlotte Church up till now, not that it will be the last of her best. This album is very enjoyable to the contemporary/classical music listeners.
Last, Charlotte, smoking is not a very wise choice a singer can make. Slowly, but surely, it will ruin a voice and bring it to a lower level of professionalism. Not only your voice is at risk, but also your own health. We want you among us for a long long time from now.
P.S. I myself have high goals to become the next "Placido Domingo" and am looking forward to bring you some competition. *Smiles*
Free Music Review: Beautiful!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a good sampling of Charlotte Church's best songs. I would have included "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "The Last Rose of Summer", but overall it is a nice selection and would be a good buy for someone who has never heard her or someone like me who never tires of hearing her soaring, hauntingly beautiful voice.Also, I don't expect everyone to give her 5 stars and enjoy her music as much as I do. However, the fact that Britney Spears' latest CD has a 4 star rating while this CD has a 2 star rating (as of the date of this review, anyway) should say something about these numerous 1 star ratings. If you like classical crossover, you may like this CD. If you are an opera purist or strictly into pop, you probably won't like it. But most of these people should know by now not to waste their time buying and reviewing Charlotte Church CDs. I like her because she is one of the few singers who makes opera listenable.
Her voice continues to amaze me, she's not going to disappear from lack of talent, and who cares if she is mature or not? These comments about her lack of maturity are silly. Since when is a 16 year old mature? I only hope she can survive living in the fish bowl so that I can someday ejoy another "best of Charlotte Church" CD.
Free Music Review: CHARLOTTE CHURCH IS "THE DIVA" ON THE MUSIC SCENE TODAY!
Hit: 5 Stars
Having followed the musical development of Charlotte Church since her initial recordings at twelve to the present day it blows my mind that we have this 17 year old "gift" on the music scene today. Her naturally beautiful voice is a wonder to behold and her choice of musical repertoire is a compilation of the very best music in all genres: classical, religious, Broadway and Celtic folk. That such a young and gifted vocalist can perform the likes of "Panis Angelicus", the "Flower Duet from Lakme", "The Prayer" and the "Habanera" with such maturity, clarity, range and power is astounding to say the least. It is reassuring, too, that not all teen age vocalists want to emulate the pathetic rantings of Brittney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Beonce Knowles. One can only hope that Charlotte Church will take care of her voice (quit the smoking) and stick to the formula that made her a star in the first place. Hopefully she will continue to train with good vocal coaches and not "dump her classical repetoire" for bad pop or worse yet, R&B. If she stays on track there will be no limit to her future in music.